[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6718-6720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2988]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Preparation of Alternatives Analysis With the Intent of Preparing 
an Environmental Impact Statement for the Orlando International Airport 
Connector; Orange County, FL

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS).

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SUMMARY: The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), in 
consultation with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the 
Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (CFRTA, locally known 
as LYNX), is issuing this notice to advise the public that FDOT and 
LYNX intend to conduct a Scoping Meeting and an Alternatives Analysis, 
leading to the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
that would comply with all FTA requirements and in accordance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended and the 
regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and all other 
relevant Federal, State and local regulations and requirements. This 
EIS will be prepared to evaluate a transit system that would connect 
the International Drive (I-Drive) Corridor to the Orlando International 
Airport (OIA) in Orange County, Florida.
    This Notice of Intent is being published at this time to notify 
interested parties and to solicit participation in the study. The 
objective of the Alternatives Analysis is to identify a Locally 
Preferred Alternative (LPA) that can then be evaluated further as part 
of the EIS phase of project development. The proposed project is 
planned to link to the 22-mile North-South Light Rail Transit (LRT) 
system currently under evaluation. The proposed connection to the LRT 
system will occur in the area of the Orange County Convention Center or 
the Belz Factory Outlet. The project study area extends from the 
International Drive (I-Drive) Corridor to the Orlando International 
Airport (OIA). Alternatives will be studied for connecting to OIA from 
the south and from the north.
    The following alternatives will be evaluated as part of this study: 
(1) A No Action (No Build) Alternative; (2) A Transportation Systems 
Management (TSM) Alternative; and (3) two or more Build Alternatives.

DATES: Comment Due Date: Written comments on the scope of alternatives 
and impacts to be considered should be directed to Ms. Tawny Olore, 
Rail Transit Project Manager, Florida Department of Transportation--
District 5, 719 South Woodland Boulevard, MS 2-543, DeLand, Florida, 
32720 by April 12, 2004. Scoping Meeting: Scoping for the study will be 
developed during review of previous studies and consultation with 
affected agencies and interested persons through correspondence and at 
public meetings.

ADDRESSES: A Scoping Meeting will be conducted to provide the purpose 
of the study, describe the process that will be followed, define the 
limits of the study area, to answer any questions that may exist, and 
to receive comments, thoughts, and/or opinions relevant to the study. 
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 from 8:30 a.m. 
to 11 a.m. at the Orange County Convention Center in the Lecture Hall, 
Room W300, located at 9800 International Drive, Orlando, Florida 32819. 
Persons with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans and 
Disabilities Act of 1990, who may require special accommodations, to 
participate in the Scoping Meeting should contact Ms. Karen Campblin, 
Public Involvement Coordinator, at least seven (7) calendar days prior 
to the meeting date. Please send a request to the following address: 
Ms. Karen Campblin, Public Involvement Coordinator, Glatting Jackson, 
33 East Pine Street, Orlando, Florida 32801, phone: (407) 843-6552; 
toll free: (800) 496-2768 extension 1006; fax: (407) 839-1789; e-mail: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Tawny Olore, Rail Transit Project 
Manager, Florida Department of Transportation--District 5, 719 South 
Woodland Boulevard, MS 2-543, DeLand, Florida 32720, phone: (386) 943-
5707, e-mail:

[[Page 6719]]

[email protected]. You may also contact Mr. Derek R. Scott, 
Community Planner, Federal Transit Administration, 61 Forsyth Street, 
SW., Suite 17T50, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, phone: (404) 562-3524.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Notice of Intent

    This Notice of Intent to prepare an Alternatives Analysis leading 
to an Environmental Impact Statement is being published at this time to 
advise interested parties of the study and to solicit comment from the 
general public. FTA regulations and guidance, in accordance with NEPA, 
will be used in the analysis and preparation of the OIA Connector 
Transit Study.

2. Scoping

    Both FTA and FDOT encourage you to provide comments at the Scoping 
Meeting as discussed previously and will accept written comments for up 
to 45 days following the meeting date. Comments should focus on the 
scope of the alternatives and any specific social, economic, or 
environmental impacts to be considered as part of this study.
    Persons wishing to be placed on a mailing list to receive further 
information as the study progresses, please contact Ms. Karen Campblin, 
Public Involvement Coordinator, Glatting Jackson, 33 East Pine Street, 
Orlando, Florida 32801, phone: (407) 843-6552; toll free: (800) 496-
2768 extension 1006; fax: (407) 839-1789; e-mail: 
[email protected].

3. Study Area and Project Need

    The project study area for the OIA Connector extends from the I-
Drive Corridor to the Orlando International Airport. The study area is 
generally bounded by Hoffner Avenue on the north, the Central Florida 
GreeneWay (SR 417) on the south, Narcoossee Road on the east, and 
Interstate 4 on the west. The OIA Connector is planned to link to the 
22-mile North-South LRT system currently under study. The proposed 
connection to the LRT system will occur in the area of the Orange 
County Convention Center in the I-Drive Corridor or the Belz Factory 
Outlet. The proposed project traverses the southern portion of 
unincorporated Orange County and passes through areas of the Cities of 
Orlando and Belle Isle.
    The purpose of this study is to develop a multi-modal transit 
system that would provide system linkage in the Central Florida area 
and serve as an alternative mode of travel to highways. This project is 
expected to provide an approach to transportation solutions by 
evaluating several alternative alignments, which would ultimately 
identify a LPA for this proposed transit system. By integrating the 
multi-modal system into the overall transportation network within the 
OIA corridor, the integrity of the highway system is maintained, while 
improving local access to the surrounding community.
    Factors that constitute the need for the OIA Connector include 
meeting existing and future travel demands, loss of mobility due to the 
projected increase in traffic on the major roadways within the 
corridor, and projected expansion at the Airport, as identified in the 
OIA Master Plan. To keep up with the tremendous growth in south Orange 
County, METROPLAN ORLANDO (metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for 
the Orlando, Florida Transportation Management Area) has identified the 
need for this project. The need for the OIA Connector is consistent 
with METROPLAN ORLANDO's 2020 Long Range Transportation Plan Update 
(adopted December 2000). However, this project is currently not listed 
in any local government comprehensive plans, including Orange County 
and the City of Orlando.

4. Alternatives

    A number of transportation alternatives will be evaluated as part 
of this study. These include: (1) A No Action (No Build) Alternative 
that consists of existing and programmed transportation improvements as 
identified in METROPLAN ORLANDO's Cost Feasible 2020 Long Range 
Transportation Plan Update, which includes the North-South LRT system. 
This alternative serves as the NEPA baseline. (2) The TSM Alternative 
includes enhanced LYNX bus services and facilities in addition to other 
TSM-related projects. This alternative is defined as low-cost 
operational improvements identified to address transportation problems 
in the corridor. (3) Build Alternatives that may include a combination 
of the above modes with various alternative alignments using both 
street and/or highway corridors. These alternatives would ultimately 
link to the proposed North-South line.
    As part of the Alternatives Analysis, capital, operating, and 
maintenance costs and other financial impacts will be evaluated. Upon 
the selection and screening of a set of initial alternatives, a set of 
conceptual alternatives will be identified and undergo an evaluation 
process to be further refined. A detailed analysis of the refined 
alternatives will be undertaken during the Alternatives Analysis and 
subsequent draft EIS phase of project development. These refined, 
conceptual viable alternatives will ultimately be presented to the 
public and agencies at a series of public workshops. Upon the selection 
of a Build Alternative, FDOT will then request that METROPLAN ORLANDO 
review and approve the LPA selection. Once the LPA is approved, the MPO 
will consider including the LPA in the Cost Feasible Plan of the MPO's 
Long Range Transportation Plan.

5. Probable Effects

    Should the study proceed from the Alternatives Analysis to an 
Environmental Impact Statement, preliminary steps will be taken to 
allow FTA and FDOT to evaluate the project's potential for significant 
adverse impacts during construction and operation. Analysis of socio-
economic impacts would include the evaluation of land use and 
neighborhood impacts, parks and recreational areas, historic and 
archaeological resources, displacement and environmental justice 
(disproportionate adverse impacts on minority and low-income 
populations), visual and aesthetic impacts, transit (ridership, 
operations, and maintenance), traffic, and parking. Impacts to the 
natural environment would include Outstanding Florida Waters, Wild and 
Scenic Rivers, aquatic preserves, wetlands, and threatened and 
endangered species. The physical impact analysis would include the 
evaluation of noise and vibration, air quality, energy, potential 
hazardous materials, water quality, and coastal zone consistency. The 
environmental evaluation would consider construction and cumulative and 
secondary impacts. Measures to mitigate any adverse impacts would also 
be addressed.
    In addition, this study is being completed with other transit 
initiative studies that are currently underway. These projects include: 
(1) Canadian Court Intermodal Center; (2) International Drive 
Circulator; (3) Florida High Speed Rail; (4) Orlando International 
Airport (OIA) Intermodal Center; (5) North-South Light Rail Transit; 
and (6) Central Florida North/South Commuter Corridor Alternatives 
Analysis. Although the above-mentioned studies are freestanding and 
capable of independent utility, all projects will continue to be 
closely monitored to ensure project consistency. Additional information 
on these other independent transit initiatives, may be obtained from 
Ms. Tawny Olore, Rail Transit Project Manager, Florida Department of 
Transportation--District 5, 719 South Woodland Boulevard, MS 2-543, 
DeLand, Florida, 32720, phone: (386) 943-5707; e-mail: 
[email protected].

[[Page 6720]]

6. OIA Intermodal Center

    As part of the OIA Connector Scoping Meeting, information on the 
OIA Intermodal Center will be presented. The FDOT in consultation with 
the FTA, and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) is preparing 
NEPA documentation for a new Intermodal Center at OIA in order to 
accommodate high-speed rail, light rail, and other private/public modes 
of transportation. The study will comply with FDOT, FTA, Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), 
and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements. The 
OIA Intermodal Center project is freestanding and capable of 
independent operation.

7. FTA Procedures

    In accordance with FTA policy, all Federal laws, regulations, and 
executive orders affecting project development, including but not 
limited to the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality and 
FTA implementing NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508, and 23 CFR part 771), 
the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, section 404 of the Clean Water Act, 
Executive Order 12898 regarding Environmental Justice, the National 
Historic Preservation Act, the Endangered Species Act, and section 4(f) 
of the DOT Act, will be addressed to the maximum extent practicable 
during the NEPA process. In addition, following selection and adoption 
of the LPA, FDOT may seek FTA Section 5309 New Starts funding for the 
LPA, and therefore, will be subject to the FTA New Starts Regulations 
(49 CFR part 611). This New Starts regulation requires submission of 
information specified by FTA to support FDOT's request to initiate 
Preliminary Engineering. The Alternatives Analysis and subsequent 
Preliminary Engineering activities are to be executed in conjunction 
with the NEPA process.

    Issued on: February 6, 2004.
George T. Thomson,
Acting FTA Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 04-2988 Filed 2-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P